By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The youth wing of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region has condemned the closure of three Wontumi radio stations and the arrest and detention of a presenter with the company, according to a statement sighted by Ghana Eye Report on Tuesday.
The statement, signed by Raphael Patrick Sarfo, Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer of the NPP, observed that the act is not only a direct attack on the media but also a calculated attempt to silence the voices of their grassroots.
The group described the action by the government as hypocritical, as the then opposition leader, John Dramani Mahama, condemned the closure of Radio Gold, a pro-National Democratic Congress (NDC) station.
“The Ashanti Regional Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party has taken note, with great concern, of the sudden closure of Wontumi Radio by the National Communications Authority (NCA). We strongly condemn this act, which we consider not only a direct attack on media freedom but also a calculated attempt to silence the vibrant voice of our grassroots,” read the statement.
“It is ironic and hypocritical that H.E. John Dramani Mahama, who once condemned the closure of Radio Gold during his time in opposition, is today presiding over the closure of Wontumi Radio. What has changed? Is media freedom only important when it favors the NDC?” it asked.
The group also condemned the arrest, detention, and harassment of a journalist with Wontumi Radio and TV, Akyemkwaa Nana Kofi Asare.
The Ashanti NPP youth wing observed that they will not sit unconcerned while the government uses state institutions to intimidate other Ghanaians.
“We are serving notice that the Ashanti Regional NPP Youth Wing will not sit aloof while the rights of our people are trampled upon. We will resist every attempt to use state institutions as tools of political witch-hunting and oppression,” it added.
The group further called on well-meaning Ghanaians, civil society groups, and lovers of democracy to join the crusade in condemning what they describe as a “dangerous precedent.” Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
Find the statement from the Ashanti Region NPP Youth Wing below:
Press Statement by the Ashanti Regional NPP Youth Wing
ASHANTI REGIONAL NPP YOUTH WING CONDEMNS THE CLOSURE OF WONTUMI RADIO
The Ashanti Regional Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party has taken note, with great concern, of the sudden closure of Wontumi Radio by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
We strongly condemn this act, which we consider not only a direct attack on media freedom, but also a calculated attempt to silence the vibrant voice of our grassroots. Wontumi Radio in Kumasi , Accra and Takoradi have become a household name in Ghana and beyond — providing jobs to many young people, serving as a platform for open political discourse, and amplifying the voices of ordinary Ghanaians.
It is ironic and hypocritical that H.E. John Dramani Mahama, who once openly condemned the closure of Radio Gold and other pro-NDC stations during his time in opposition, is today presiding over the closure of Wontumi Radio . What has changed? Is media freedom only important when it favours the NDC?
The Youth Wing recalls vividly how former President Mahama described the closure of Radio Gold as a blatant abuse of power and a dent on Ghana’s democratic credentials. Today, under his watch, the same oppressive tactics are being unleashed against media outlets that dare to give platform to the NPP and its grassroots base.
The Ashanti regional Youthwing also condemn the use of state institutions to arrest, detain and harass journalists like Akyemkwaa Nana Asare , a radio host at Wontumi Radio and TV .
We are serving notice that the Ashanti Regional NPP Youth Wing will not sit aloof while the rights of our people are trampled upon. We will resist every attempt to use state institutions as tools of political witch-hunting and oppression.
We call on all well-meaning Ghanaians, civil society groups, and lovers of democracy to join us in condemning this dangerous precedent. Ghana’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of partisan interest.
Signed
Raphael Patrick Sarfo (Raph)
Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser
New Patriotic Party (NPP)
